Stopping Spousal Support

[libertad2007]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? AZ

My ex and I agreed to 2 yrs of rehabilitative alimony(AZ). The last payment is coming up in April an I am wondering when I should file to get it stopped, before the last payment or after it is all paid?

The ex recently quit her job and in this economy I do not see her getting another one soon. I am fairly sure she will protest the end of alimony and try to get it extended (we were married 11yrs). I am not too worried since she has been cohabiting for 2 yrs now and instead of going to nursing school she has vacationed and only worked for maybe 3months out of the last 2 yrs (her choice).

I just want to limit her chance to contest, so I am thinking of filing after the last payment(in Az I can file 90 days ahead), even though that will extend my payments for at least 30 -45 days.

Opinions Please? Thanks

[IrishLady47]

Does the court order for your divorce give an ending date or the otherwise specify that the alimony ends after 2 years? If so, why would you have to file to end it?

[libertad2007]

It just states 24 months of alimony, no start or end date. The assignment said the same thing. We never went before a judge, the court just stamped the agreement. Due to inexperience I missed putting an end date and also the cohabitating clause.

I am also paying child support for another 5 yrs. So the payments are all lumped together.

[LdiJ]

Originally Posted by libertad2007

It just states 24 months of alimony, no start or end date. The assignment said the same thing. We never went before a judge, the court just stamped the agreement. Due to inexperience I missed putting an end date and also the cohabitating clause.

I am also paying child support for another 5 yrs. So the payments are all lumped together.

By "lumped together" do you mean that they are being garnished from your wages? If so, then yes, I would agree that you should be proactive and file to terminate alimony. However, keep in mind that child support is not permently fixed and is always modifiable, therefore if your income has increased since the original order was made you could be hit with a child support increase.

Otherwise, I would suggest that you consult a local attorney who can review your divorce decree to determine whether or not you can simply stop making the alimony payments after 24 months.